Rosalee Marie Konikowski

Rosalee M. Konikowski of Southington, CT died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, April 18, 2025 at the age of 87. Rosalee was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, neighbor and friend.

She was born January 11, 1938 in St Louis, Missouri, daughter of the late, Vurlin and Loretta (Gidley) Ward. She was the sister of her five siblings; brothers Stephen Ward, Donald Ward and Vurlin Ward, all who predeceased her, and her surviving sisters, JoAnne Pazdar and Barbara Jane Rossitto.

She was the devoted wife of 38 years to her late husband, Michael J. Konikowski, who died in 1997. Rosalee dedicated her life to her family, raising and making a home for their eight children.

Rosalee lived a life of service to her community and her faith in God. A devout Catholic, Rosalee was an active member of St Thomas, Mary Our Queen, and St Luke Catholic Churches in Southington, CT where she regularly attended mass. For over 20 years, she served as a Eucharistic Minister at St Thomas Catholic Church, providing communion at weekly mass as well as to the homebound in the local senior centers, hospitals and at their homes. She spent countless years throughout her life teaching religious instructions to children at various catholic churches. Her service extended to the community volunteering at local civic groups and at her children’s schools. She volunteered at the Calendar House, where she spent over a decade as a computer instructor.

Rosalee found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She loved gardening, cooking, sewing and in her early life, working on projects such as refurnishing and reupholstering furniture, woodworking and even fixing her husband’s numerous boats at their summer cottage (“camp”) in upstate, NY. Her nurturing spirit, and warm smile touched the lives of everyone that knew her. Rosalee put a smile on the faces of everyone she met.

She is survived by seven children; Michael S. Konikowski, Virginia and her husband Sam Chan, Laura and her husband Mark Bade, Mary Rose Horne, John and his wife Paula Konikowski, James Konikowski and Paul Konikowski. She was predeceased by her daughter, Julie Beth. She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren; Kyle, Amy, Jonathan, Daniel, Rachel, Jason, Austin, Emily, J.D, Billy and Josh as well as five great grandchildren; Alexa, Jacob, Annabelle, Caroline and Skyla.

Rosalee was a kindhearted soul and a friend to all. She will be dearly missed. Although she is gone from this earth, her spirit will live in us forever.

The funeral Mass will be on Tuesday April 29th at 9:00 AM at St. Aloysius Church 254 Burritt St., Plantsville, CT, followed by burial at St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. All are asked to gather directly at the church for Mass. Calling hours with the family are on Monday April 28th from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at DellaVecchia Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Street, Southington, CT 06489.

Devote to her faith in God, Rosalee donated to numerous Catholic organizations, missions, local and civic groups. In recognition of her life, donations should be made to charities important to you. Or following her life of service, simply take a moment to help someone in need. To Leave a message of remembrance for the family please visit: www.DellaVecchiaSouthington.com